Mesoporous sulfur-modified metal oxide cathodes for efficient electro-Fenton systems

•High efficiency of phenol removal achieved by Electro-Fenton with mesoporous sulfur-modified metal oxide/stainless steel mesh cathode.•The cathode worked effectively in a wide pH range (3–10) due to self-pH adjustment.•Mesoporous sulfur-modified iron oxide cathode exhibited excellent ORR activity for in situ H2O2 electro-generation.••OH and SO4•- radicals are dominant reactive oxygen species in the electro-Fenton process.